Australian researchers recommended a new hormone that has a possibility to treat social problems involving autism.

Children diagnosed with special Autism Spectrum Disorder often have a hard time recognizing emotions in others.

The studies involved giving adolescents with autism a single dose each of the hormone 'oxytocin' via a nasal spray one week apart and were asked to complete a facial expression task that measured emotion identification.

It was found out that the adolescents with autism performed better on the task when they received the hormone.

Oxytocin affects brain function and is best known for assisting labor, delivery and breastfeeding. But it has been studied that it is also important in promoting trust, love and social recognition.

It is also the first to show the benefits of oxytocin nasal spray to young people, suggesting a new intervention that may be a great opportunity to improve development, Dr. Adam Guastella, study author from the University of Sydney said.

Guastella warned that it is still too early to use oxytocin outside the supervision of clinical trial research.

Medicine Autism